PUNCHBAG - I’m Not Your Punchbag

Brother-sister duo PUNCHBAG boast an ultra-metamodern worldview (in very succinct terms, referring to a blend of optimism and nihilism) that’s surmised by their debut EP’s ecstatic opener ‘Fuck It’: “We might as well just say go fuck it/cos we’re all gonna die, die, die!” It’s fundamental to the dayglo beauty and heartfelt thrills of the EP, whole-heartedly embracing and deconstructing qualities which could in other hands be cringeworthy: sincere lyrics and the fusion of major key pop rock and the energy of happy hardcore. Each track drips with fizzing energy and potent emotions; the outro of ‘Pretty Youth’ best encapsulating this, building to sparkling synths, a relentless kick drum and an empowering lyrical mantra of “I won’t stop living if nothing is happening”. A varied and endearing debut statement, ‘I’m Not Your Punchbag’ offers both cathartic thrills and an optimistic outlook.